Sacred Sins

Nora Roberts

Language: English

Publisher: Bantam

Published: Jul 29, 2009

Description:

New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts serves up a sizzling novel of explosive suspense and sensual romance as the search for a murderer ignites passion between a beautiful psychiatrist and the sexy, brooding detective determined to crack the case.

In the unbearable heat of another sultry Washington, D.C., summer, a serial killer is on the loose. Dr. Tess Court, one of the capital’s most successful psychiatrists, wants nothing to do with the case—until the police convince her to lend a hand to the lead investigator, legendary ladies’ man Detective Ben Paris.

Scarred by his family’s history, Ben has even less use for shrinks than Tess has for him—but the forces of animal magnetism and a shared desire to catch the demented criminal known as “The Priest” inexorably erode the walls they’ve built. They’re opposites in so many ways, yet that seems only to fan the flames of attraction for which danger has supplied the spark. To stop a killer who thinks he can absolve sins through murder, Ben will need every ounce of psychological insight Tess can offer him. And she’ll need the help of a lawman willing to stare fear in the face if she’s going to avoid becoming the madman’s next victim.

Amazon.com Review

For those of you who can't get enough Nora Roberts, Roberts has dusted off this romance thriller from the early '80s, slapped a new cover on it, and republished it. After so many years, Sacred Sins may feel a bit musty, but those readers just looking for a good time won't mind some outdated attitudes or references when the timeless suspense and romance keep them flipping the pages.

With the talents that later led her to create her J.D. Robb line of In Death romance thrillers, Roberts uses an "opposites attract" theory of appeal between her lovers and firmly places her heroine in the killer's sights. Dr. Tess Court is a successful psychiatrist who is guilted by her senator grandfather into advising on a serial murder case. Detective Ben Paris hasn't much respect for shrinks after his brother's unsuccessful treatment for post-war depression. However, forces align to put these two together and things turn hot and heavy. As they work to uncover the murderer's motives, Tess and Ben realize that she is both the killer's next likely victim and his best hope for a savior.

Tess has all the spunk and determination of a typical Roberts heroine with a great wardrobe and elegant tastes to boot. Though the killer's motivations remain somewhat simple, he is convincingly creepy, and this thriller will satisfy loyal fans and new readers alike. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien

From Library Journal

Psychologist Tess Court is asked to work up a profile of a serial killer called the Priest, who claims to be saving the souls of the pretty, young blondes he is dispatching. Too bad Tess is a pretty, young blonde.
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